York Stone

Thursday, 2 August 2018

Black Spots On Yorkstone Paving

I have seen more and more black spots, though blotches may be a more accurate description, in the last few years and have wondered what exactly is it and why it has started to grow on yorkstone paving.

I first started to supply reclaimed yorkstone paving in 1991 and since then have bought and sold thousands of square metres without black blotches, which is why I think it is quite a new problem.

In the last few months I have looked at the paving I supplied to friends and aquaintence who live nearby. Most have black spots on their paving but I don't.

I have been wondering why this is? am I doing something they are not which discourages black spot or are they doing something I'm not which encourages the growth of the black spots.

Though my "investigation" is very far from scientific, I have come to think that pressure washing is a major cause, I have never pressure washed my paving but all my friends who pressure wash their paving have black spot. I have also noticed that pressure washing can remove the pointing between the slabs.

The surface of yorkstone paving is the hardest part of it. Before it is quarried yorkstone is full of moisture which evaporates after it is cut depositing the minerals held in solution and suspension on the surface making it hard enough to protect the stone while creating the patina that marks out weathered yorkstone paving.

If that surface is removed by pressure washing you are left with a softer more porous surface allowing and possibly encouraging the growth of organisms on and into the stone that cause the black spots to spread all over the surface.

Monday, 3 March 2014

I have a new Stone Heritage web site, created for me by the very helpful people at Toolkit Websites.
Here is a link to the site, www.yorkstoneheritage.co.uk. There are galleries of pictures from my stock yard, from the saw mill and quarry and projects. I hope you enjoy it.

I was lucky enough to buy some reclaimed york stone Street Flags in Manchester a couple of weeks ago, they are big, 2 foot by 3 foot on average and beautifully worn, the smooth surfaces are exceptional. I also have a number of fan shaped corner pieces.
Here are a few photographs and a link to the new Stone Heritage web site

Monday, 23 September 2013

As we come to the end of another busy summer I though I'd show some of the reclaimed York Stone paving that's in my yard ready for dispatch. We've been able to get some particularly beautiful York stone paving this summer so I've added a few pictures to blog for you..

Monday, 8 April 2013

I took this photograph late March 2013, today, the 13th of April, the last of the snow has finally gone!

Now the snow has gone my thoughts are again turning to out doors and in particular my garden, which I've been lucky enough to add to over the last two years.
Once the clearing up is out of the way I want to lay a narrow path in and around my nascent orchard, three apple trees, one cherry and one pear, to be supplemented by two plum trees and one apricot tree.
I intend to use smaller york stone paving slabs to make paths in what I will be a meadow with fruit trees and soft fruit bushes, gooseberry, black currant and brambles are my particular favourites.

I've a new drive which I will lay with gritstone setts, they are absolutely perfect for parking, and look wonderful.

Thursday, 18 October 2012

It's always a good time to lay York stone paving but autumn has advantages, slower growth rates means plants better withstand the stresses and the work is much less likely to interrupt other vital garden activities such as sun bathing, contemplation and relaxing, which for many, myself included, are the primary functions of a garden.
After a summer busy with national celebrations and incredible sporting achievements I think this is an ideal time to shape your garden and hard landscaping provides a frame, a structure around which you can create the character of your garden.Yorkstone paths, steps, terraces and walls help you create distinct areas with differing uses and styles, be it quiet and contemplative, bright and active or relaxed and entertaining, hard landscaping and in particular Yorkstone's timeless feel gives an enduring sense of style and quality.

Friday, 8 June 2012

I thought I would share some info about my step sister's topiary nursery, especially as it has been active at the top end of the market for more than a decade but hard landscaping and soft landscaping tends only to come

together on site. Wendy and Neat's nursery, Crown Topiary, is based at 234 North Road Hertford, SG14 2PW the phone number is 01992 501055 and their web site is www.crowntopiary.co.uk .
If topiary is something you are looking for, either for yourself or a client I recommend you look at the service Wendy and Neat offer